Dundalk FC’s unbeaten run comes to an end against Harps

Dundalk FC’s unbeaten run in the SSE Airtricity League First Division came to a shuddering halt in Ballybofey, as a 1-0 defeat to Finn Harps not only marked their first loss of the campaign but also narrowed their lead at the summit to a solitary point.

Gradi Lomboto’s calmly converted penalty on 62 minutes proved decisive, and with second-placed Cobh Ramblers edging past Kerry on the same evening, the race for automatic promotion has intensified—just days before Dundalk and Cobh are set to clash at Oriel Park.

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The Lilywhites began brightly, with Leo Gaxha testing Harps ‘keeper Corey Sheridan from distance in the game’s opening exchanges.

Gaxha remained at the heart of Dundalk’s early threat, twisting away from Joel Bradley-Walsh and delivering a teasing cross which Andy Paraschiv was unable to guide on target at the far post.

Following a sharp short-corner routine involving Daryl Horgan and Sean Keogh, the latter floated a delicate effort goalward, only for Sheridan to claim it once again.

Eoin Kenny then saw a strike from the edge of the area drift wide, as Dundalk’s dominance failed to yield a breakthrough.

Despite ceding possession for much of the first half, Finn Harps nearly struck on the cusp of the interval—Kevin Jordan’s long ball over the top fell to Conor Tourish, whose volley narrowly cleared the bar.

After the restart, substitute Shane Tracey combined well with Horgan, who cut it back for Gaxha. From close range, the winger lifted over in what proved a costly miss.

Moments later, Kenny’s curling effort beat Sheridan, but Tourish was on hand with a last-ditch clearance off the line.

Those squandered chances came back to haunt Dundalk. Just past the hour, Gaxha—so influential early on—fouled Joel Thompson inside the area. Lomboto stepped up and made no mistake, slotting the ball into the bottom-left corner to hand the home side the lead.

Desperate to preserve their unbeaten status, Dundalk pushed forward. Leonard’s header flew over, before Kenny saw a superb curling effort tipped onto the crossbar by Sheridan.

The Harps stopper was again heroic in stoppage time, denying Dean Ebbe’s header to preserve all three points.

To compound Dundalk’s woes, Gaxha was stretchered off late on with what appeared to be a serious injury—an evening to forget for Ciaran Kilduff’s men, who suffered their first defeat at Finn Park since 2007.

Finn Harps: Corey Sheridan; Max Hutchison, Conor Tourish, Joel Bradley-Walsh; Mikey Place, Gavin Gilmore, Josh Cullen, Kevin Jordan (Gavin McAteer 75), Joel Thompson; Tony McNamee, Gradi Lomboto

Subs not used: Oisin Cooney (gk), Shane O’Gara (gk), Conor McGranaghan, Adam McDaid, Shaunie Bradley, Daniel Cunningham, Seaghan McCormick, William Oduwa

Dundalk FC: Enda Minogue; Luke Mulligan (Keith Ward 65), Mayowa Animasahun, Vinnie Leonard, Sean Keogh; Aodh Dervin (Shane Tracey HT), Harry Groome; Leo Gaxha (Sean McHale 88), Andy Paraschiv (Dean Ebbe 65), Daryl Horgan; Eoin Kenny

Subs not used: Peter Cherrie (gk), Sean Spaight, TJ Molloy

Referee: Daniel Murphy (Dublin)

Attendance: 672